PASSPORT
US citizens require a valid passport to enter Egypt. Validity must be at least 6 months from entry date into Egypt. For other nationalities, please notify our office.

VISA
Visitors’ Visas can be obtained from the Consulate General of Egypt in Chicago (fee is $15.00 + shipping & mailing). If you did not acquire your visa through the Consulate, we can provide it upon arrival in Cairo (fee: $20.00) provided  you advise our office in advance (no application or photos are needed in this case). For groups, we do visas on arrival.

VACCINATION
No vaccinations are required unless the traveler is  arriving into Egypt from a country which has epidemics such as Cholera or Yellow Fever as   determined by the World Health Organization. It is always advisable to update your general traveler’s vaccines such as Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus, and MMR (if needed). For preventive shots or to inquire about medicines that you might need, please contact the Center for Disease Control’s Travelers’ Inquiry Line at 404-332-4555.

UPON ARRIVAL IN CAIRO
You will be met by a representative of our local handling operator. The name and contact information for this company can be found on your voucher. When you enter into the airport terminal, look for the person with a sign with your name or the name of your travel group. If in the event you cannot find our representative, proceed to the Tourist Police Office and they will assist you in locating them.

CURRENCY
There is a limit of $5,000 of foreign currency which visitors can bring into Egypt. Current rate of exchange (Feb. 2012) is $1.00 = 6.01377 Egyptian Pounds. We suggest travelers should only change small quantities of foreign currency- to suit immediate needs- because of the extreme difficulty in converting any remaining Egyptian Pounds to Dollars at the end of the trip. Please consult URL: www.oanda.com (select currency converter) for up to date rates.

BANKS
There are banks in almost every hotel. In large hotels, banks are open 24 hours for the traveler’s convenience. Rates of exchange are the same at all banks, though commission might vary, so ask first.

CREDIT CARDS
Major credit cards (Visa, Master & AmEx) are accepted in big hotels, five star restaurants and at stores that sell tourist souvenirs. Please make sure you carefully fill out the charge form and read what you are signing. If you need to withdraw from an ATM machine, you will need to remember your PIN # and you can only withdraw in local pounds.

CUSTOMS

• Camcorders have to be declared and registered on your passport prior to entry in the country (upon arrival in Cairo). Personal 35 mm cameras are exempt from registration.
• Smuggling Drugs and Narcotics is a serious crime
• When leaving the country, it is against the law to have any antique pieces. You are allowed to leave with small quantities of gold and silver purchased locally, only for personal use.

LANGUAGE
Egypt’s official, native language is Arabic. However, most Egyptians understand and speak some English. The foreign visitor will encounter no difficulty in communicating in larger towns and cities. At airports, hotels, department stores and bazaars, English is the second language.

ELECTRICITY

• 220 Volts/50 HTZ
• 2 thin round prong plugs
• Please make sure you bring a converter/adaptor.

MEALS
In Cairo, continental breakfast is included in your program. (Unless otherwise specified as BUFFET).  All of your meals are provided on the cruise, (set menu and buffets). Drinks are always extra and have to be paid by guests, except coffee/tea and juices at breakfast.

CLOTHES
For the summer months (May to September), bring cotton clothes. During the winter months (December to February), bring light wool for daytime and a light jacket for cooler nights. For the spring and autumn you should bring a combination of all of the above. Shorts and short-sleeved shirts are fine between April and October; wrinkle-proof slacks are highly recommended. There is NO need for fancy clothes on our Nile Cruises.

TIPPING

• For restaurant service, 10% of total bill is fair.
• For professionals who serve you: Guides and escorts, as well as drivers, hotel personnel, etc… we recommend $5.00-$8.00 per/person/day for guides and $3.00-$4.00 per/person/day for drivers and/or local escorts who will assist you at your transfers.
• On the cruise, it is customary to leave $5.00-$10.0 per/person/day in an envelope at the reception at check-out time; that amount takes care of all cruise staff and personnel.
• For groups, consult with your Tour Manager if he/she is collecting a group tipping budget allowance to handle by him/her self on behalf of the group.

CHECK-OUT
Please try to settle any extras at the front desk of your hotel on the night prior to your departure in order to avoid delays at check-out time.

BARGAINING
In Egypt, bargaining is conducted in the manner of a sport, with its own rules and rewards. Bargaining is limited to certain stores and in certain areas. Prices are not negotiable in large stores, but they are in souvenir shops, handicraft galleries and especially in local/tourist bazaars. A few rules of the game of bargaining: Do not buy in the first shop you enter – visit several shops, examine their merchandise, check their quality and ask their prices, then decide. When you are ready to purchase, be prepared to negotiate with the merchant. Never show too much excitement about the item you want, they can quickly sense that you are determined to buy it and will not drop their price as they should.

SHOPPING
Egypt has a wide selection of jewelry, perfumes, fabrics and precious stones at very reasonable prices and the markets offer a wonderful opportunity to shop for native art and handicrafts. Also brass, copper, leather, hand-woven wool carpets and silk tapestries are of excellent quality. Egyptian Cotton is world renowned for its quality. You should not leave the country without a few Papyrus paintings. There are top galleries that sell them and also street vendors, so it is up to you to make the choice! Please consult with your local guide.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
Kindly note that when you are flying EgyptAir, the only carrier operating within the country, schedules might unexpectedly change. If this occurs, please remain seated at the domestic terminal until our representative meets you. Some patience and a joyous spirit will ensure a pleasant experience.

SIGHTSEEING

• Remember to ask our representative about the appropriate clothing to be worn on your sightseeing excursions.
• As a general courtesy, women should not wear shorts or sleeveless shirts if the tour includes a visit to a religious place (Mosque, Church or Synagogue).
• Very comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended for tours as you will sometimes walk in sand and climb a lot of stairs.
• In Upper Egypt, a hat can save you from sun-stroke.

HYGIENE

• Please do not drink tap water, even in your hotel. Purchase bottles of water (properly sealed) for use in your room and when out touring. Remember -  ice cubes are from tap water!
• Stay away from green salads and unpeeled fruits in local restaurants.
• If you experience any indigestion, please do not wait before you buy a medicine from a drug store as this can become a hindering inconvenience. We always recommend hot lemon juice/extract with some honey for minor feelings of discomfort or indigestion.

PHOTOGRAPHY FEES’ CHART
Approximate and subject to change:

• Outdoor sites (defined as open-air and include   temples and  mosques) – FREE
• Inside tombs and pyramids – NOT ALLOWED
• Inside Museums – NOT ALLOWED
• Camcorders are allowed in outdoor sites and there is no longer a charge. They are not allowed in tombs or museums.
• If you are planning on using a tripod for your camera the charge is $5.00 per place.

MEDICAL & ACCIDENTAL INSURANCE
It is extremely advisable to purchase good coverage of accident/medical insurance, to cover any required hospitalization or sickness while in Egypt. Please call our office for an application.

TRANSPORTATION

• Please bargain with drivers prior to stepping-in to a taxi! Rates are per car regardless of number of people.
• Approximate fare from downtown to the pyramids is $10.00
• Approximate fare from Heliopolis to the downtown area is $5.00
• Approximate fare  from the airport to the pyramids is $20.00
• The subway system is very efficient and safe. Use of public transportation (bus, tramway, etc) is not recommended.

COMMUNICATIONS
The most economical way to call the US from Egypt is with a phone card which is purchased at a local store and can be used at any public phone. Avoid making calls from your hotel room as they are usually more epensive.If someone needs to call you from the US they will dial the following: 011-2 (country code), 02 (Cairo code), then the number. Other area codes: 095 (Luxor), 097 (Aswan) and 03 (Alexandria). You MUST keep the 0 digit in the city code.
Internet cafes are available everywhere including some of your hotels. Service is generally fast and the cost is very reasonable (about $2/hour).

CRIME
Egypt in general is considered to be a very safe destination. However, you could encounter small thefts or pick-pocketing if you are not careful. Serious crimes (murder, assault or rape) are very uncommon. It is very safe to walk at night in Luxor and Aswan as well as downtown Cairo.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Egypt has one time zone which is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. When it is noon in New York City it is 7:00 PM in Egypt.

USA CUSTOMS
American citizens are entitled to an exemption on articles totaling $800.00 when they return to the US. It is every traveler’s responsibility to declare goods purchased as well as gifts received on their customs form and to assess the value of the articles they are bringing in. Your tour operator has NO responsibility towards matters pertaining  to customs! We would also like to remind you that it is illegal to bring into the US any food items, fruits, plants, pets or seeds. For further information, please consult with the US. Customs Service office at Ph: 202-927-1520.

Last Minute Reminders

• Have neighbors take care of mail, pets , plants and house.
• Give friends/retatives your itinerary and our phone number.
• Your valuables should be insured for the duration of the trip.
• Make sure serial numbers or traveler checks are recorded and kept in a safe place.
• Remove credit cards which you don’t need, driver’s license and mementos from your wallet or purse.
• Make sure your passport is valid, your visa is obtained in advance or pre-arranged and revue your airline tickets and have all of these items in your immediate possession (in your carry-on).
• Your name and address should be on and in ALL luggage.
• Take your prescription medications in your carry-on.
• The best place to carry your passport and money is in a pouch worn around the neck and inside your shirt or in a money belt around your waist.
• We strongly urge you to purchase luggage insurance, and to have lockable duffles and packs.
• Always keep your camera and film in your constant possession.

Suggested Packing List

• Suggested Packing List
• Short sleeved cotton shirts
• Long sleeved shirt
• Cotton pants, skirts
• Undergarments
• Sleepwear
• Handkerchiefs
• Bathing suit
• Cotton socks
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Light jacket or sweater
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Prescriptive Medication
• Immodium, antacids, antiseptic, bandaids
• Camera, film, compact flash, batteries, cleaning cloth
• Wet wipes
• Journal and pens
• Reading material
• Extra bag to bring back souvenirs

Keys to a Happy Journey

Travel lightly
You are not traveling for people to see you!

 

Travel expectantly
Every place you visit is like a surprise package waiting to be opened. Untie the strings with an expectation of high adventure.

 

Travel humbly
Visit people and places with reverence and respect for their traditions and ways of life.

 

Travel hopefully
“To travel hopefully” wrote Robert Louis Stevenson, “is better than to arrive.”

 

Travel courteously
Consideration for your fellow travelers and your hosts will smooth the way through any difficulties.

 

Travel gratefully
Show appreciation for the many things that are being done by others for your enjoyment, comfort and safety.

 

Travel with an open mind
Leave your prejudices at home.

 

Travel with curiosity
It is not how far you go, but how deeply you go that mines the gold of experience.

 

Travel with imagination
As the old Spanish proverb put it, “He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.”

 

Travel fearlessly
Banish worry and timidity; the world and its people belong to you, just as you belong to the world.

 

Travel relaxed
Make up your mind to have a good time. Let go and trust that things will work out.

 

Travel patiently
It takes time to understand others, stay flexible and adaptable to all situations.

 

Travel with good spirit
You will discover that people are basically the same the world over. Be an ambassador of good will.

 

Travel tips for Egypt – With permission from Ihab Zaki – Thanks